Smarter Technologies Deploys IoT Solutions for Water Hygiene Management on UK Defence Bases.

Smarter Technologies, a British provider of Internet of Things (IoT) solutions, has completed the first phase of an ongoing program to support health and safety compliance at His Majesty’s Naval Base (HMNB) in Portsmouth. In close collaboration with the base’s infrastructure team, the new legionella risk management capability is part of a series of innovative digital solutions implemented by Smarter Technologies at the dockyard to enhance operational efficiency for the Royal Navy. The combination of IoT data collection and cloud computing has provided key empirical information to operational and strategic decision-makers at Portsmouth. The Smarter Technologies team will be present at the DVD event on September 18 and 19 to discuss this initiative and other IoT solutions.
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Targeting the historic Wardroom building at HMNB Portsmouth, identified as a potentially at-risk accommodation block, Smarter Technologies strategically positioned IoT sensors around the building’s water system to monitor, in real-time, the temperature at which water is stored and distributed (Picture source: Smarter Technologies)

The latest solution has transformed water hygiene management, a crucial factor for health and safety in any facility. This responsibility is governed by strict legislation, including the control of waterborne bacteria such as legionella, which can cause Legionnaires’ disease. Consistent and rigorous management is necessary to ensure that water systems remain compliant and that the presence of legionella is controlled. This task is particularly critical and often complex in mixed-use facilities with aging infrastructure and irregularly used spaces, common characteristics of many defense establishments.

Targeting the historic Wardroom building at HMNB Portsmouth, identified as a potentially at-risk accommodation block, Smarter Technologies strategically positioned IoT sensors around the building’s water system to monitor, in real-time, the temperature at which water is stored and distributed. This approach allows for proactive maintenance of temperatures in accordance with Health and Safety Executive (HSE) guidelines. Automated flushing units were also installed at key points in the system to ensure periodic and programmable water flow, preventing stagnation and limiting the growth of bacteria such as legionella. Data collected by these devices is transmitted to Smarter Technologies' secure cloud platform via "Orion," a proprietary Low Powered Wide Area Network (LPWAN) optimized for large, complex estates due to its range, structural penetration, and bandwidth. The collected data is then presented to users through "SmarterView," an intuitive, secure web-based interface that allows for the creation of programmable alerts, trend analysis, and report generation.

With the implementation of Smarter Technologies' IoT solution in this potential risk area, HMNB Portsmouth has achieved more effective and efficient water hygiene management. Legionella levels are consistently maintained within safe limits, emerging risks are immediately identified and addressed to prevent incidents, and the time spent on manual temperature checks and flushing has been significantly reduced. Additionally, the automated system provides a verifiable record of due diligence to ensure compliance.

Fubara Pepple, Head of Strategic Asset Management at Portsmouth, stated: "We have worked closely with Smarter Technologies to identify any potential risk to water supplies at an early stage, making it much easier to keep our personnel safe." Mark Read, Chief Executive of Smarter Technologies Group, added: "We have been pleased to work closely with the HMNB Portsmouth team, who have understood the value our Orion systems can bring and have embraced the use of targeted technological innovation."